Sherrod Declines Vilsack's Offer

Former United States Department of Agriculture official Shirley Sherrod, who was forced to resign from her Georgia position after a misleading video mistakenly portrayed her making racist remarks, turned down a new job offer Tuesday from Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Sherrod’s prospective new position would have been deputy director of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach. This newly created position was designed to improve the department’s civil rights efforts and image nationwide, something Sherrod said she is a strong advocate for.

“We need to work on issues [such as] discrimination and racism in this country, and I’d certainly like to play my role,” Sherrod said.

Vilsack acknowledged the fact that he acted harshly when the news broke in July and still takes full responsibility for the tirade. 

“This was my responsibility,” he said. “I disappointed the president [and] the country [and] I have to live with that.”

Sherrod respectfully declined Vilsack’s offer but accepted his apology.